Repair or replace plastic fender?
#1
TECH Veteran
Thread Starter
iTrader: (53)
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Monticello, Kentucky
Posts: 4,433
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Repair or replace plastic fender?
I have a small tear in the corner of my pass side fender, down by the wheel well. Should I try to have this repaired or should I bite the bullet and replace. I know I WANT TO replace it, but want to save $125+ if I can.
#3
TECH Veteran
Thread Starter
iTrader: (53)
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Monticello, Kentucky
Posts: 4,433
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well to me, it came down to paying $125 for a fender, and then paying the shop to paint it. Or they could repair the tear and paint it down to the molding, a good breaking point. I've heard some local guys say repair won't hold, others say it can be fixed. It's gonna have to be painted either way so I'd say it's a break even deal there which leaves the cost in the $125 fender.
#7
On The Tree
iTrader: (4)
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Anderson, Indiana
Posts: 182
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I've over the years have fixed many different types of injected SMC/ABS plastic bumer covers and fenders. My personal opionon would be to buy a OEM fender, used or new. Over time, the plastic's heating and cooling will shrink the repair materials down and you'll see it. If for some reason you do repair it I would V-groove and use SEM's "Problem Plastic" to fuse it back with a nylon mesh support on the backside. Finish off with Evercoat's "FiberTech" as your filler. Thats the best materials I've yet to have good luck with. I tryed to use almost every aftermarket style fenders for camoros and T/As, but they never fit for a ****. OEM all the way!!!
Trending Topics
#8
TECH Veteran
Thread Starter
iTrader: (53)
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: Monticello, Kentucky
Posts: 4,433
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
If I have to take the fender off, I'm going to put a new one back on. I can see from underneath the car where someone had tried to repair it before. I believe I am going to buy one. BTW, I put an aftermarket on my T/A once and it actually fit nicely. If I were going to buy (an aftermarket) one, I'd probably get it from the same people.